Community Foundation, United Way join forces in May - Tandem supply drives to “do the greatest possible good”

Two of Isabella County’s most visible and far-reaching community support organizations are joining forces in May to make a difference in the lives of mothers, children and families.

The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation and United Way of Gratiot & Isabella Counties each are sponsoring supply collection drives to benefit local residents through area nonprofits.

Kay’s Way began during the pandemic to gather items needed by women and children. Coordinated by the Foundation’s Women’s Initiative, this year’s drive — May 13-24 — will collect the most desperately needed supplies distributed by the Isabella County Child Advocacy Center, Foster Closet of Michigan - Isabella County and R.I.S.E Advocacy.

Kay’s Way will collect items such as hygiene products, twin sheets, cleaning supplies, gas cards, underwear and hair products. Monetary donations can be made through the Foundation as well.

United for Moms will collect personal care items, cleaning products and baby items May 1-16 for Community Compassion Network Infant Pantry, Life Choices of Central Michigan, R.I.S.E. Advocacy and The Care Store in Isabella County. Efforts will culminate in a May 16 collection event at the Mt. Pleasant Farmer’s Market.

Gratiot County participating nonprofits are Child Advocacy, Gratiot Community Personal Needs Pantry, Pompeii Baby Pantry and Pregnancy Services of Gratiot County. Their final collection event will be May 15 at Community Church: Alma Campus.

“The Community Foundation and United Way create a powerful force to help local nonprofits address the needs of our neighbors, friends and family members,” Foundation CEO Alysha Pasquali said. “With incredible support from community members, we’re all working together to do the greatest possible good for those around us.”

Krapohl Ford & Lincoln and Weichert Realtors Broadway Realty are collection sites for Kay’s Way. Krapohl again will host a special Oil Change Day, on May 22, from which 100% of every oil change purchase in the Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center will be donated to the supply drive.

Annie Sanders, United Way President and CEO, said United for Moms, in its second year, rallies people in honor of Mother’s Day to fill essential gaps experienced by so many in the community.

“Mother’s Day celebrates the influence of mothers and reminds us we have opportunities to support those around us,” Sanders said. “Our community is very much like a family in coming together. It’s tremendous to see individuals and businesses come forward to support each other.”

For details, follow United Way of Gratiot and Isabella Counties, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation and the Mt. Pleasant Women’s Initiative on Facebook or visit their websites.

Kay’s Way is an evolution of Kay’s Day, a yearly fundraising and community awareness event hosted by the Women’s Initiative, which was co-created by Kay Krapohl Smith more than 20 years ago. The event pivoted to Kay’s Way in 2021 due to COVID and that year alone brought in two truckloads of personal items and $7,500 in monetary donations.

The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation addresses community needs by attracting and holding permanently endowed funds from hundreds of local donors. The Women’s Initiative Fund is overseen by a committee of local women who raise awareness and donations for the fund. It recommends grants to local organizations for approval by the Foundation Board.

United Way of Gratiot & Isabella Counties envisions a strong community where everyone achieves their potential through quality education, financial stability and healthy lifestyles. To make our vision a reality, we do what no single organization can do alone: We lead impact by gathering every resource, partner and idea to create equitable, lasting change for people facing the toughest social issues.